From upscale spots to suit the rich to pizza joints for the average Joe, there's an eclectic flavor about the culture -- and the appetizing cuisine -- in Tampa's Soho to appease all taste buds.

You don't have to go all the way to New York City to stroll down a Restaurant Row called SoHo.

We have our very own: South Howard Avenue. The north/south artery runs between the juicy demographics of Hyde Park and Palma Ceia and terminates where the roller bladers roll, the bicyclists cycle: Bayshore Boulevard.

With some 35 restaurants ranging from pizzerias to elegant steak houses, Tampa's Restaurant Row has something for everyone. Regardless of the occasion, your budget, state of dress or political standing on the use of animals as food, Soho can accommodate. Bon appetit!

6. Cafe Heidelberg

Wood-accented decor with Old World knickknacks. Pristine, white doilies and tableclothes, small, intimate tables. Light alternatives to sauerkraut and Bratwurst make it a great place for a bite while strolling around SoHo. $$

7. Cappy's Pizzeria

309 S Howard Ave.; cq(813) 254-4948

Opens at 5 p.m. daily, with no set closing time (usually between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.)

Dark, northern, urban atmosphere with a straightforward, come-as-you-are vibe. Crowds tend to skew on the younger side, but kid-friendly. Offering both Chicago and New York styles, the menu plainly states, "Eat Cappy's pizza. It's good!" $

8. Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant

What are tapas? All together, for those who haven't heard: "They're the little dishes of Spain!" Authentic, appetizer-size dishes from Seville, Granada, Catalonia, Salamanca and other corners of the Iberian peninsula. Small, nightclubby room full of big flavors and popular pitchers of sangria. $$

12. Evos

609 S Howard Ave.; cq(813) 258-3867

11 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily

Fast food gone healthy. No cattle have been slaughtered to keep this healthful place up and running. Soy burgers, soy tacos, and even soy chili are on the menu in addition to oven-roasted chicken breast, salmon patties, and airfries. Drink a fresh fruit smoothy to wash the health down. $

15. Ho Ho Windows

The SoHo staple has moved south a few blocks, occupying the old Howard's spot. The atmosphere is now more contemporary, but you can expect the old staples: Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan familiars, lunch buffet. $

16. Hugo's Spanish Restaurant

931 S Howard Ave.; (813) 251-2842

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat.; Closed Sundays.

SoHo's enduring outpost for Cuban sandwiches, beans and rice, and other Spanish/Cuban/Italian comfort foods more common in West Tampa and Ybor City. Serves a variety of wine. $

18. J Ryans on the Grill

A newcomer to the Howard strip, with a varied menu, baby-back to chicken liver mousse and seared tuna. Amenities include an airy modern atmosphere, an ample bar and a respectable wine selection. Late night menu includes sandwiches and munchies with a happy hour. $$

19. Le Bordeaux and Left Bank

1502 S Howard Ave.; (813) 254-4387

5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. daily

SoHo perennial with a country French menu that changes nightly on the chalk board. This converted low-slung house comes complete with a patio and adjoining jazz lounge. Romantic. Expect your waiter to have an accent. $$$

20. Lenny and Vinny's New York Pizzeria and Bakery

533 S Howard Ave.; (813) 253-3929.

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Done up like a Noo Yawk subway, this pizzeria/bakery makes liberal use of the word "Yo!" in its flyers and, in spite of its name, doesn't serve textbook New York style pizza. With creations like "Pablo's Westside Chicken Dijon" and "Vinny's Garbage Pie," they're clearly not trying to bore your taste buds. Subs, pasta, and calzones, too. $

21. Mangroves Bar & Grill

Works on two levels. Upstairs: white tablecloth dining. Downstairs: bar equipped with plenty of alcoholic beverages. But just the decor will give you an eyeful: a challenging, art-deco-meets-old-Tampa mishmash, plus lighted terrazzo bar. $$

22. McHale's Chophouse

Opened less than a year ago, the restaurant shares kitchen and owner (Tom McHale) with Tuscan Oven, but don't expect a Tuscan Oven II. The menu offers barbecue styles ranging from St. Louis pork ribs to duck chili. All sides are made from scratch. $$

23. Off the Eaten Path

410 N Howard Ave.; (813) 251-6244

10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.

Also off the beaten path, being hard to see from the road. A deli that specializes in New Jersey style subs and pork rolls. $

24. Old Meeting House

Truman was president when this South Tampa landmark first served homemade ice cream, malts from the fountain and thick, honest burgers. Though recently refurbished, little has changed the Rockwellian atmosphere of this diner or its proud notion that your buck will go farther here than most places on Restaurant Row. $

25. Penalty Box

405 S Howard Ave.; (813) 258-0501

2:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. (last call) Mon.-Sun.

Typical sports bar includes two large TV screens with games always on, dartboard, Foosball. The menu offers chicken wings, burgers and oysters in a half-shell. $

26. Primadonna Trattoria Restaurant

915 S Howard Ave.; (813) 258-3358

Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. daily; dinner 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. nightly

Designed like a provincial country home with vines over head. You will feel like your in Italy. Elegant, pan-Italian menu. $$

27. Royal Palace Thai Restaurant

Traditional Thai cuisine served in a royal setting. If you did not get enough of frog legs in high school, they are served here in red curry sauce instead of formaldehyde. Thai at last, Thai at last, Thank God all mighty, we have Thai at last. This is the first and only Thai restaurant to debut on Howard Avenue. $$

28. Sally O'Neal's Pizza Hotline

1009 S Rome Ave.; (813) 251-0220

11 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon.-Sun.

Bakery style pizza. Small tables for a quick dining experience. They also deliver. $

29. SideBern's

Don't show up just for dessert. Chef Jeanie Pierola, once the creative force at Ybor's defunct nuevo Latino outpost Boca, has revamped this former dessert-oriented Bern's adjunct into a full-fledged bistro. The highly eclectic menu will disorient your taste buds before the food arrives. Pierola calls it "one world cuisine." $$$

33. Tiny Tap Tavern

2105 Morrison Ave. W.; (813) 258-5212

7 a.m.-3 a.m. everyday

Gas station turned bar about 40 years ago offers an eclectic crew and plenty to do. Foosball, an over stocked jukebox, $2 import bottles and pool tables with a path worn through the tile surrounding them. Every walk of life congregates at this tiny watering hole.$

34. Tuscan Oven

Hearty, Italian fare, with Tuscan farmhouse decor. Stare at the farmer's bedroom vignette over the fire-belching grills, and you can envision Aldo turning in after a hard day in the vineyard. $$

35. Westshore Pizza

927 S Howard Ave., (813) 251-2020

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thur.; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Bring Philadelphia-style pizza home without going to Pennsylvania. Offers casual family dining in the restaurant or at home via delivery. The menu also offers calzones, stromboli, sandwiches, and grinders. $

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- Times Staff Writers Michael Canning and Amy Abbott contributed to this report.